EIDBI Licensure Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Licensing will strengthen program compliance and establish new standards for EIDBI programs to deliver the best outcomes for recipients. DHS licensors will certify and inspect programs to ensure they are meeting DHS licensing standards. DHS licensors will also provide limited technical assistance to providers and will investigate providers if they receive tips or complaints. If a licensor finds a program is out of compliance, licensors will discuss the issues with the program and may issue correction orders or fines, place the provider on conditional license status, suspend or revoke a license, or decertify a program. 

Licensing standards are requirements all license holders must meet after receiving their license. These standards protect the health, rights and safety of individuals served by EIDBI programs and set minimum care and recordkeeping standards. Licensing standards will not make every EIDBI provider the same or limit beneficial practices that exceed the standards, but they will require programs that are not meeting standards to deliver a consistent standard of care. Licensing standards generally include requirements for policies and procedures, providing and documenting services to clients, staff qualifications and training, and the physical space, if applicable. 

The report “EIDBI Licensing Recommendations” explained the benefits and limitations of licensing EIDBI agencies. Overall, the report concluded that EIDBI licensure would:  

• Protect the interests of children being served through the EIDBI benefit. 
• More clearly inform prospective and current operators of EIDBI provider agencies what their responsibilities are. 
• Put safeguards in place that will provide stronger accountability for state and federal funds invested in these vital services. 

The option to apply for a provisional license application closed on May 31, 2026. At this time, only currently enrolled agencies can apply for provisional licenses for new locations.

DHS will notify applicants about the outcome of their application no later than Dec. 31, 2026.

Yes, a provisional license application may be denied under the conditions listed in Minnesota Statutes, Section 245A.05.

Once the provisional license has been issued, it will remain effective until comprehensive licensing standards are passed by the Legislature. However, a provisional license may be suspended or revoked under the conditions listed in Minnesota Statutes, Section 245A.07.

As of July 1, 2025, DHS may conduct unannounced on-site inspections to program sites. This includes investigating reports of maltreatment, complaints against agencies, and other unannounced on-site inspections.

EIDBI agencies had until May 31, 2026, to submit an application for provisional licensure. Agencies that did not submit an application by the deadline must not operate and will be disenrolled from providing EIDBI services.

At this time, only currently enrolled EIDBI agencies can submit a provisional license application, and only for new locations. 

The Provider Hub is an online tool to apply for and manage social service licenses and participation in available government programs.

EIDBI agencies will use the Provider Hub to fill out and submit their provisional license applications, pay license application fees, view approved licenses and get help.

Provider Hub benefits

You’ll be able to:

• Access your license information in the Provider Hub anytime, from any Internet-connected device — including tablets and smartphones
• Use the online tool in English, español, Soomaali or Hmoob
• Get technical help both from online articles and a local support team

Learn more

• Review the Provider Hub webpage for details about current features, quick links to the most used resources and more.
• Subscribe to the Provider Hub Newsletter to get updates on new and improved features in the Provider Hub, resources, upcoming events and other news about the online tool. The Provider Hub team sends a newsletter about every two months.
• Attend an information session — topics may include recent improvements to the Provider Hub, tips for using the online tool effectively and new help materials. Attendees are welcome to submit questions during the session. The Provider Hub team hosts a public, online session about every two months. Register for the next one from the Provider Hub webpage.
• Review the Technology Resources Learning Library for help building comfort with the technology you’ll need to use the Provider Hub. You can take a technology skills self-assessment and explore a tech skills guide. Each resource is available in English, español, Soomaali and Hmoob.

Review the Pre-Licensing Application Checklist (PDF) for details on what documentation your agency needs to complete the application. The checklist is not required; it is not the application for provisional licensure.

Only currently enrolled EIDBI agencies can complete the application at this time, and only for new locations. 

Links to more information

• MPSE portal manual — Get help using the portal
• MN-ITS — Log in to your MN-ITS account to access the MPSE portal

The Authorized Agent must be the individual to complete the application for the agency. The EIDBI agency must designate one of its controlling individuals to be the Authorized Agent (as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.02, subdivision 3b). The Authorized Agent is the person responsible for communicating with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Licensing. Find more information about this role on page two of the Pre-Licensing Application Checklist (PDF).

Authorized Agent: Complete the Applicant Notarized Agreement, Acknowledgement and Verification Form (PDF) in the presence of a notary public. The Authorized Agent will need to upload the signed and notarized form in the Provider Hub as part of their application, so it’s helpful to have this completed before they start working on the application.

As part of the provisional license application process, the EIDBI agency must designate one of its controlling individuals to be the Authorized Agent (as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 245A.02, subdivision 3b). The Authorized Agent is the person responsible for communicating with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Licensing. Find more information about this role on page two of the Pre-Licensing Application Checklist (PDF).  

The Authorized Agent for your EIDBI agency must create a Provider Hub account to “claim” (or access) their agency’s provisional license application.

Review this article for step-by-step instructions on creating a Provider Hub account.

After the Authorized Agent has created their account, they can add additional users from your agency. Check out this article for step-by-step instructions on adding new users.

Organizations with multiple center locations must submit an application for each location.

Currently enrolled EIDBI agencies seeking an additional provisional license to open a new location should contact their licensor or the EIDBI Licensing team at eidbi.licensing.dhs@state.mn.us. 

Yes, each EIDBI center must onboard into NETStudy 2.0.  Each center will have its own roster. Refer to the background studies website for more information.

Yes. Minnesota Statute, section 256B.04, subdivision 21, paragraph (g) outlines all requirements that apply to the compliance officer position required for DHS licensed and enrolled providers. The statute does not include requirements regarding how the compliance officer is employed. Agencies should review the duties of the compliance officer outlined in statute and determine whether a contracted compliance officer would be able to fulfill the required duties.

Minnesota Statute, section 256B.04, subdivision 21, paragraph (g) outlines all requirements that apply to the compliance officer position required for DHS licensed and enrolled providers. The statute does not include  minimum qualifications for the compliance officer position. Agencies should review the compliance officer’s responsibilities outlined in the statute and determine the qualifications that someone in this position must have to fulfill those duties within their agency.

Yes. Minnesota Statute, section 256B.04, subdivision 21, paragraph (g), outlines all requirements that apply to the compliance officer position required for DHS licensed and enrolled providers. The statute does not prevent the individual designated as the entity’s compliance officer from also holding other positions or roles within an agency. Agencies should review the duties of the compliance officer outlined in statute and determine whether an individual who serves in another role can also fulfill those duties.

Policy guidance resources 

• Appropriate Submission of Claims (PDF) 
• Documentation of Service Activities (PDF) 
• Documentation of Staff Qualifications (PDF) 
• Grievance (PDF) 
• Quality Assurance (PDF) 
• Required Staff Training (PDF) 

Reporting policy templates 

• Maltreatment of Minors Mandated Reporting (DHS-7634E-ENG) 
• Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults Mandated Reporting

Under provisional licensing, agencies will follow the standards that previously existed, as well as some basic licensing regulations. DHS will have a stronger role in making sure agencies are following standards. It will also have more authority to take action when agencies don’t follow standards. 

In the future, comprehensive licensing will expand and refine standards for EIDBI agencies. For example, comprehensive licensing standards will include requirements about client rights, how the information is communicated to clients and their families, and what information must be documented. 

• Summer and fall 2025: DHS reviews existing standards and previous studies. Visit the DHS EIDBI licensure study page to read those reports. 
• Nov. – Dec. 2025: DHS collects feedback about the framework from agencies, families, advocates and community members. 
• Winter and spring 2026: DHS creates a detailed draft of comprehensive standards. Staff considers the collected public feedback and other information during this process. 
• Summer 2026: DHS seeks public feedback on the detailed draft of comprehensive standards. 
• Fall 2026: DHS finalizes comprehensive standards. Staff considers the collected public feedback and other information during this process. 
• January 1, 2027: DHS submits comprehensive standards to the Minnesota Legislature. 

In 2026, DHS will work with partners to develop comprehensive licensing standards for EIDBI licensure. By Jan. 1, 2027, DHS must submit proposed standards for nonprovisional, comprehensive EIDBI licensure to the Legislature.

The proposed standards will need to be approved by the Legislature and signed into law by the Governor to become permanent.

DHS is currently developing comprehensive standards. To make the best standards possible, staff need feedback from recipients, caregivers, providers, advocates, and more. Visit our EngagementHQ site to learn about how you can share your input and ideas starting June 15, 2026, through the end of August 2026.

As of July 1, 2025, DHS has jurisdiction to investigate alleged maltreatment of children and vulnerable adults receiving EIDBI services. Agencies should continue to comply with Minnesota Statutes, 256B.0949, subdivision 16, which states that agencies shall provide training for all staff on the requirements of the Minnesota Maltreatment of Minors Act, the Vulnerable Adults Act, and the agency’s policy for all staff on how to report suspected abuse and neglect.

• Reports of alleged maltreatment involving a child occurring in an EIDBI program should be reported to DHS Licensing at 651-431-6600.
• Alleged maltreatment of a youth aged 18 to 21 occurring in an EIDBI program should be reported to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) at 1-844-880-1574.
• More information about the DHS maltreatment process can be found at this link: Maltreatment investigations in DHS-licensed programs

Agencies should make sure all owners, operators, employees and volunteers have a completed background study from DHS. If everyone in those roles already has received an eligible or set-aside result from a DHS background study through NETStudy 2.0 and is on the agency's active roster in NETStudy 2.0, then the agency is compliant and does not need to complete new or additional studies. If anyone in those roles does not already have a DHS background study and/or is not on the active roster, the agency must now initiate a study for them in NETStudy 2.0.

More information about the background study process can be found on this webpage: DHS-8484 (Background Studies Overview).

The 2025 Legislature enacted updates to provide clarity around EIDBI background studies. This means that starting Aug. 5, 2025, individuals with the following roles in providing EIDBI services will need completed background studies to provide services:

• Owner with at least a 5% ownership stake,
• Operator, including a board member or other individual overseeing billing, management, or policies, or
• Employee or volunteer who provides direct contact EIDBI services.

Previously, if DHS told an EIDBI agency that more time was needed to conduct a study, the study subject could still provide services while they waited if they met certain conditions. Starting Aug. 5, 2025, an individual can only provide services after their study is complete and has resulted in a clearance (“eligible”) or set-aside of a disqualification. Notices from DHS about needing more time started including language about this change on July 1, 2025.